Absolute Cheater-Chapter 172: Corrupted IV

As Asher and Serena stepped out into the cool night air, the weight of their conversation with the receptionist lingered between them. The city streets were quieter now, with only a few distant figures moving through the alleys, their footsteps echoing against the cobblestones.

Serena pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders. "So, what now?"

Asher glanced up at the sky, his crimson eyes reflecting the moonlight. "We wait and watch. If the Red Fate Organization is aware of us, they’ll make a move soon."

Serena scowled. "Waiting around for them to come after us doesn’t sound like a great plan."

Asher smirked. "It’s not about waiting—it’s about setting the board. If they think we’re vulnerable, they’ll show themselves. And when they do, we strike first."

Serena let out a slow breath. "Fine. But if this goes south, I’m blaming you."

Asher chuckled. "Wouldn’t have it any other way."

They continued walking through the dimly lit streets, their senses alert. The memory of the hooded figure from earlier still lingered in Asher’s mind. If the Red Fate Organization was watching them, they wouldn’t remain in the shadows for long.

As they turned a corner, a flicker of movement caught Asher’s eye. A lone figure stood at the end of the street, partially hidden by the shadows. Unlike before, this one didn’t disappear immediately. Instead, they raised a hand—beckoning.

Serena tensed. "That’s definitely a trap."

Asher’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. Let’s walk into it."

Without hesitation, he started forward, his posture relaxed but his blood control at the ready. Serena sighed but followed, her hands resting on the hilts of her daggers.

As they closed the distance, the figure finally stepped into the light. A young woman with silver hair and piercing violet eyes met their gaze, her expression unreadable. She was clad in dark, form-fitting armor, and at her side rested a curved dagger glowing faintly with an eerie purple hue.

"I was wondering when you’d notice me," she said, her voice smooth yet laced with amusement.

Serena’s grip tightened on her daggers. "Who are you?"

The woman tilted her head. "That depends. Do you want the truth, or a lie that will help you sleep better at night?"

Asher studied her, his eyes glowing slightly as he extended his Blood Sense toward her. Her presence was strange—controlled, precise, as if every drop of blood in her body moved with intention. She wasn’t just some scout. She was dangerous.

"The truth," Asher said simply.

The woman smiled. "Then let’s talk. But not here." She turned and started walking down a narrow alley.

Serena shot Asher a look. "We’re really following her?"

Asher nodded. "Yes. But be ready for anything."

Serena sighed. "I always am."

With that, they followed the mysterious woman into the darkness, unaware that the next steps they took would change everything.

Asher and Serena followed the woman through the winding alleys, their footsteps barely making a sound against the cobblestones. Despite her seemingly casual pace, Asher could tell she was leading them somewhere specific—somewhere carefully chosen.

Eventually, she stopped in front of an abandoned building, its wooden doors slightly ajar. She glanced back at them with a knowing smile. "Inside. It’s safer to talk there."

Serena hesitated. "If this is a trap—"

The woman chuckled. "Then you’ll just have to kill me before I kill you, won’t you?"

Asher stepped forward without hesitation. "Let’s get this over with."

Inside, the building was dimly lit by a few flickering lanterns. A single wooden table stood in the center, with chairs placed around it, as if it had been prepared for this meeting in advance.

The woman took a seat, resting her hands on the table. "First, introductions. My name is Evelyn Varis. I’m one of the Guild’s Elite Adventurers."

Serena narrowed her eyes. "A Guild Elite? Then why are you sneaking around like some spy?"

Evelyn smirked. "Because my mission isn’t exactly official."

Asher crossed his arms. "You’re working on the Red Fate Organization, aren’t you?"

Evelyn’s smile didn’t waver. "Smart. Yes, I’ve been investigating them for a long time. The Guild doesn’t like to admit it, but they have spies everywhere—including within our ranks. That’s why official investigations never go anywhere."

Serena scoffed. "So, what? You work in the shadows and hope no one notices?"

Evelyn leaned forward, her violet eyes gleaming. "I do what’s necessary."

Asher met her gaze evenly. "Then why approach us?"

Evelyn studied them for a moment before speaking. "Because I need to know if you’re potential allies… or potential recruits."

Serena’s expression darkened. "Recruits?"

Evelyn nodded. "The Red Fate Organization doesn’t just destroy and corrupt for the sake of chaos. They have a plan—a vision. And they don’t waste potential." She rested her chin on her hand. "Right now, they’re watching you. Your actions have caught their attention. And if I’m here, that means they think you might be worth bringing into the fold." Enjoy new stories from novelbuddy

Silence filled the room.

Asher’s expression remained unreadable. "And what do you think?"

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Evelyn tilted her head. "I think you’re dangerous. And I think that danger can be put to good use."

Serena scoffed. "So, what, you’re offering us a place among them?"

Evelyn’s smile didn’t fade. "I’m offering you a choice. You can keep fighting them, stumbling through the dark, constantly outmaneuvered." She leaned forward. "Or you can see the world from their perspective. Learn what they know. Understand why they do what they do."

Asher considered her words carefully. "And if we refuse?"

Evelyn’s expression didn’t change, but there was a subtle shift in her eyes—a quiet warning. "Then they’ll see you as a threat. And threats don’t last long."

Serena clenched her fists. "So it’s join or die, is that it?"

Evelyn shook her head. "Not quite. It’s more like… adapt or be erased."

She leaned back in her chair, watching them closely. "I don’t need an answer now. But think carefully, because the Red Fate Organization doesn’t make the offer twice."

Asher exchanged a glance with Serena before looking back at Evelyn. "Then you’d better hope you like our answer when we give it."

Evelyn smirked. "I always enjoy a gamble."

The room fell into silence, the weight of her offer settling over them like a storm cloud.

Serena’s fingers twitched over the hilt of her dagger. She didn’t trust Evelyn, not one bit. But Asher remained calm, his expression unreadable as always.

Evelyn observed them with quiet amusement before standing up. "I’ll give you some time to think it over. But don’t take too long. The Red Fate Organization doesn’t wait forever."

Asher leaned against the table, his gaze sharp. "And what if we decide we’re better off killing every last one of them instead?"

Evelyn chuckled, unfazed. "Then I’ll be very disappointed… and you’ll find out just how deep their influence runs." She stepped toward the door but paused. "For what it’s worth, I think you’d fit in well. The way you think, the way you move—you already understand how this world works. Why waste your time fighting for a side that will never truly win?"

Serena scowled. "You sure like to talk."

Evelyn flashed her a grin. "And you sure like to ignore reality. But I’ll leave you with one last piece of advice—if you keep resisting them, be prepared to lose something valuable."

Her words carried a chilling certainty, and with that, she turned and left, disappearing into the night like a ghost.

The moment she was gone, Serena turned to Asher. "Tell me you’re not actually considering this."

Asher exhaled slowly. "Of course not."

Serena relaxed slightly. "Good. Because if you did, I’d have to knock some sense into you."

A faint smirk crossed Asher’s lips. "I’d like to see you try."

Serena rolled her eyes. "Not the point. What do we do now?"

Asher’s gaze lingered on the door where Evelyn had exited. "We need to find out just how much of what she said was true. If the Guild is compromised, we can’t rely on them. And if the Red Fate Organization is watching us, we need to start moving carefully."

Serena sighed, rubbing her temples. "Great. So we’re on our own again."

Asher shook his head. "Not entirely. We still have allies—ones we can trust."

Serena crossed her arms. "Then I hope we find them before the Red Fate Organization decides we’re better off dead."

Asher’s crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dim light. "Let them try."

Asher and Serena moved through the quiet streets, their senses heightened. The weight of Evelyn’s words lingered between them, but neither spoke until they were safely back near the Guild district.

Serena finally broke the silence. "So, what’s the plan? We can’t just sit around and wait for them to make the next move."

Asher glanced up at the darkened windows of the surrounding buildings, his mind already calculating their next steps. "We need information. If the Guild is compromised, we can’t trust them blindly. And if the Red Fate Organization thinks we’re worth recruiting, that means they see us as valuable assets. We need to figure out why."

Serena frowned. "You think they know something about us that we don’t?"

Asher didn’t answer immediately. "Possibly. Or they just see us as tools to be used. Either way, I intend to find out."